League Cup: Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

The Gunners made it to their second final of the season,
following their successful run to the UEFA Women's Cup Final,
with victory over Chelsea in the League Cup Semi Final.

Kicking off before their male counterparts played out a 1-1 draw
at Stamford Bridge, Vic Akers' Arsenal side overcame their
London rivals comfortably by four goals to one with Julie Fleeting
grabbing yet another hat-trick.

The Scotlan captain managed to notch up two goals in the opening
20 minutes, the first from close range after a goalmouth scramble
and the second as she latched onto a long goal kick from Emma
Byrne, striking the ball first time on the half-volley.

Ciara Grant added Arsenal's third in the second half and put
the game beyond doubt with a glancing header from a well-worked
short corner between Kelly Smith and Lianne Sanderson.

Fleeting then completed her hat-trick five minutes later,
placing a right-wing cross from Sanderson low into the net. The
west London side never gave up, scoring a late consolation goal
through Ellen White as she took advantage of a defensive
misjudgement.

The Gunners will now line up in the FA Women's Premier
League Cup Final on Sunday, March 4 against Leeds United in a
rematch of last season's FA Women's Cup Final. Leeds beat
the holders Charlton on penalties in the second Semi Final.

Arsenal's last game before the festive break is the
re-arranged home fixture against Blackburn on Sunday, December 17.
Kick-off is 2pm. Arsenal resume after the New Year with an FA Cup
tie at Stockport on Sunday, January 7.